Mizzou Adds Four More Transfers, But SEC Arms Race Still Poses Big Questions
It was a busy Friday morning in Columbia as Missouri added four more names from the transfer portal, continuing their aggressive offseason roster rebuild. Minnesota wide receiver Kenric Lanier II, Charleston Southern offensive tackle Colin Sorenson, Montana running back Malae Fonoti, and Tennessee State punter Mark Shenouda all committed to the Tigers within a matter of hours - a flurry of depth-focused additions that pushes Mizzou’s portal haul to 23 players.
That number is significant. With 25 players having exited the program via the portal, Missouri has now nearly closed the gap in sheer quantity.
But as any coach in the SEC will tell you, the transfer game isn’t just about numbers - it’s about impact. And that’s where the picture gets more complicated.
Depth In, Star Power Out
Head coach Eli Drinkwitz and his staff deserve credit for keeping the roster afloat amid heavy turnover. Replacing 25 players in one offseason is no small task. But while the front office has done well to reload with serviceable pieces, the Tigers haven’t yet landed the kind of headline-grabbing transfers that move the needle in the SEC arms race.
That’s especially true when it comes to the edge rusher position - one of the most crucial spots on any defense, particularly in a league loaded with elite quarterback play. Missouri lost two major producers in Zion Young and Damon Wilson II, who combined for 15.5 sacks last season.
That’s not just production - that’s game-changing disruption off the edge. So far, the Tigers haven’t found a clear answer to fill that void.
Florida State transfer Jaden Jones brings some upside and could develop into a contributor, but expecting him to replicate the output of Young and Wilson right away is a tall order. The reality is, Missouri’s current portal class - while solid - lacks the top-tier talent that’s often required to keep pace in the SEC.
Portal Class Ranking: Room for Growth
According to 247Sports, Missouri’s portal class currently ranks No. 22 nationally and No. 10 in the SEC. Those rankings reflect a team doing a respectable job of roster maintenance, but not necessarily one gaining ground on the conference’s upper echelon. And in a league where recruiting and transfer wins often translate directly to Saturdays in the fall, that’s a concern.
The latest additions - Lanier II, Sorenson, Fonoti, and Shenouda - all project as depth pieces rather than instant-impact starters. That’s not a knock on their potential, but it does highlight the fact that Missouri still has clear needs at premium positions like offensive line and edge rusher, with fewer high-end options left on the board.
Still Time, But the Window Is Narrowing
The transfer portal remains open, and as we’ve seen in recent years, late movement can still shake things up. A surprise name or two could emerge and change the outlook. But as it stands, the Tigers are running out of time - and available talent - to make a major splash.
That said, not all hope hinges on the portal. If the Tigers’ internal development pipeline is stronger than outsiders realize, Missouri could still be in solid shape heading into next season. But that’s a big “if” in a conference where proven talent is often the difference between 6-6 and a trip to Atlanta.
For now, the 2026 transfer class remains a work in progress. The numbers are close to balanced, but the impact players - the ones who shift games and seasons - are still in short supply.